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Aussie HMD19
I constructed my HMD19 in 2018 and 2019 and launched it in Jan 2020. The build was straight forward except my shed did not have enough height to get it out if I had the cabin built. So the cabin was left off until the boat was moved outside.
Features of my HMD19 are as follows:
1. Built as per plans with no variations. Licensed for 6 people and registered as basic floatation. This means it will float if swamped but not self righting. I was not going do the tests they wanted to prove otherwise. i.e. swamp the boat!
2. Yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke outboard, extra long shaft, electric start and hydraulic lift with watersnake electric as backup (rarely attach it and never used it)
3. Hydrive hydraulic steering
4. 45litre fuel tank, 60litre water tank and 60litre waste tank all under the sole. Vents and bilge blowers in the 2 compartments with risers so water can’t get into the bilge. Three access hatches (water tight) to get at all tank connections and sea cocks.
5. Electric toilet under bunk in position of porta pottie.
6. Companion way cover with removable dowel to provide privacy in bunk/toilet and keep the mosquitoes out.
7. 120AH ships battery under step down to the toilet.
8. 35AH outboard battery in starboard aft locker.
9. Isolation switches for batteries and relay to charge from Solar panel on the roof and from the outboard. In built battery charger for shore power and trickle charge when boat not used for a while.
10. VHF radio, Lowerance GPS depth and speed. Sensor on transom.
11. Nav lights, interior lights and power charging outlets 5volt, 12volt and 240vac.
12. Electric fridge compressor under ice box on starboard side with top facing lid.
13. Sink with fresh water from tank on manual plunger pump. Sea water also at sink with foot pump. (so you don’t get confused)
14. Usual cheap gas stove with cartridges. (If it catches on fire you can throw it overboard.) Fire extinguisher in cabin.
15. CQR anchor stored in bow compartment but no hawser and anchor not mounted on bow. Only get it out when needed.
16. U shaped bench seat with hinged lifting tops AFT which is a bit of a problem if everyone sits there as the bow rises too much and the outboard goes very low in the water. I will install a bow tank with pumps to trim the boat when this happens. At the moment I despatch the son in law to lie on the bunk to play on his phone if I want the speed to increase.
17. Performance is good. 6.3knots full throttle, 3knots at idle and 5.8knots is the sweet spot.
18. Range is exceptional. I have travelled down the lake and back, over 5 days, and only used 20litres (5 gallons) of fuel. I have done this trip twice now in 2021 and 2022. It’s about 70km each way plus fishing trips and towing the grand kids on boards etc.
The HMD19 is perfect for the Lakes around here which are all salt and open to the sea. I can live on board for week without having to go for supplies. Fuel is no issue, the fridge is 60litres so big enough for cold food and beer etc. If I turn up the thermostat I can freeze as well but that uses more power. The 100w solar panel plus the outboard charging keeps the battery topped up no problems.
Handling of the boat is interesting and takes a bit of getting used to. Under power no problems at all but when in neutral and coming into a wharf don’t get too slow as the current and wind will take you in all directions. Best way is to come in with a small amount of power and then use reverse to stop alongside. I think the centre of pressures for wind and current are not in a stable relationship like in a yacht. I’m used to it now and always use idle power to manoeuvre. My HMD19 is also very light and draws almost nothing which is great in the shallow lakes here so I’m not about to load it up with a heavy keel or skegs to improve the tracking under no power. Once you are used to it, no problems.
I have construction pictures but I’ll only post ones that are a bit unique to my build. The plans are terrific and I was surprised over and over again after cutting out the plywood as per the plans to find they fitted perfectly. My sole was cut out as per the plans and when put in place there was a neat 1mm gap all around the hull! This was amazing.
Cheers and good Cruising
Graham Brown
Australia

Some more random pictures. More pics on request
Cheers
Graham

Awesome! Congrats on a fantastic build! Great post.

Beautiful build!!! Congrats!! Jeff

That turned out nice! You should be proud of what you have made

Thank you very much for the kind remarks on the Build. A great learning experience for me.
Now some of the unique things I did on this build that may be of interest.
The companion way cover is marine canvas hung over a removable dowel. It works a treat. The 12volt electric inbuilt fridge was constructed from plywood, fibreglassed, covered with foam insulated and inserted into the starboard console. The compressor was installed underneath with the fan vent facing AFT. The evaporator plate is installed in box after painting it with pool 2 pack paint I had left over. The blue colour looks cool. The lid is also insulated with foam but only 1 inch. The U shaped bench seat Aft with fold up seat both port and starboard works well except everyone wants to sit there which upsets the trim. I also decided to do this afert I cut the rear hatches which was not ideal as they stick up a bit above the seat. A slightly smaller hatch would have looked a bit better. Not worth fixing though. I discovered there was enough room for a 12volt electric toilet under the bunk and after having one of these on my yacht they are a must have.
Holding tank went under the sole with the other tanks. Hope photo inserting works a bit better this time.
Cheers
Graham

wow, great work, i have never seen someone build their own fridge. Enjoy it!

Great Job!

Great job, love the innovations, beautiful boat. Tom

Beautiful boat. Really like your additions. Enjoy.
Doug

Well done!! Jeff

Nice boat. Would love some detail on the fridge. - construction(detailed), energy usage, etc.

Jbo

Hi Graham,

Sweet You have quite the luxurious set-up.
Thanks for the feedback as well. DougN and yourself are reporting what I have noticed as well.
You have large tanks, that helps.

It is very windy here and I cannot WOT yet and cannot wait to see how she handles after the outboard is broken in. I'll get a few more water jugs to use as ballas in the meantime.

Enjoy her, very nice job with good ideas.

Marc
Penny

Many thanks Marc you will get used to the handling and enjoy Penny when the motor is run in.
Jbo the fridge was arrived at when I couldn’t get a powered ice box to fit. They are a lot cheaper but they were all the wrong size. Maybe if I had know the size I could have changed the console to suit. I wanted a stove on top and the fridge to slide out underneath much as per the original design. Nothing would fit so the bespoke fridge. The unit is a Dometic sealed unit. West marine has them but mine was purchased in Australia from a boating store with the plate and control as a kit. It draws 5.6amps when running but averages a lot less over the 24 hours. I have a 100w panel on the roof and I get 6amps from the outboard when it’s running. I have had it on for 6 days continuous and the 120AH ships battery was fine. I have a separate starting battery just in case.
I’ll take some photos of the unit underneath so you can see how it’s installed. Not cheap but works a treat.
Cheers
Graham

Here are the fridge photos.

Just went on another trip down the Myall Lake in Australia in the HMD19. This is where I live so we go out on this lake all the time. Out for week this time and boat went like a dream. I take my Ham radio to talk at night time to my Ham friends all around the world. I have sent them pictures of the HMD19 and they all compliment the good looking little boat. I have fitted the bow tank with a pump and it makes about 1/2 knot difference in speed so it's well worth it. It's a 55 litre triangular bladder tank in the bow. It doesn't leak so you can still stack stuff on top of it.

Beautiful scenery, beautiful boat. Looks like everyone is having a cracking time

Makes all the pain of the build worth it, eh?

Mick